The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-09-15
THE CENTENARY OF rnk CON-
BTITUTION.

OnnlOnhVNs
Tho adoption OF the Federal Consti-
tuition In 1887, the greatest event 10
the history Of the United States
next q or the Declaration and schieve-
ment Of Independence, will be cele-
biated with appropriate ceremonies
a. Philadelphia today In the presence
Of the President and his Cabinet, the
Supreme Court, the highest military
and naval officers and civil disnitaries,
and oil that u most worthy In the
ranks Of the leading men Of the conn.
try. The programme is long one and
its details are moot interesting % 90 |
many reminders Of the time Of the |
adoption Of the instrument which
cemented the States and formed the
Federal government. No period In the
life Of the Republic ID 80 interesting
90 this. The colonies, under the
stress pot upon them by q common
cause for Independence, had invested
the Continental Congress with certain
powers Of government essential TO the
carrying on Of the war. Bat the war
over, these powers were found to DO
wholly insdeq uste to the emergencies
OF peace. The people, whore energies
had been strained by an eight years
contest, eunk into an almost letharsy
when peace was declared, and the
States, without any superior power to
hold them together, we're disposed TO
assert their Independence Of each
other and to resent any attempt or
ovsrtures for the formation Of "a more
perfect Union" They levied and col.
lecled revenues, and declined 10 pay
any Of the taxes levied by Congress
for the purpose Of maintaining Its dig
nifty. That body. thus treated with
disrespect, % II II Jagged supeihuous
on the stage, fell into condition Of In
difference, 90 that II was with difficulty
Q quorum could bs secured. Chaos
and confusion seemed to have sue
cseded 10 the patriotic strain Of the
war, and hsd II not been for the sol.
dlers Of the revolution scenes might
have been witnessed snticipatory Of
those that, enacted Ia France .
few ysars later, staggered an appalled,
world. Everybody va, despairins
and respondent whom Washington
again entered the pubic arena, and,
sscouslDg Q call for Q convention OF
the States, bent oil his great energies
10 the task Of securing delegations.
This took some time, during which
riots were continued or renewed In
many places, and the people In great
distress were clsmorous for relief the
States could not give. II was ct this
most critical iuucturei In Affairs that
the constitutional convention met In
Philadelphia and undertook . task
that was not completed without fierce
debates, during which strong States
like vIreinis, Pennsylvspis and NJ assa-
chusetis were much concerned
over their relative representa-.
ton In both houses oil Congress,
and the question oi the surrender Of
the right 70 levy and collect customs
dues, AID the Limitation Of the slave
trade. Afsr months Of wranelin z and
many a5jourpmepts . committee VA
appointed 10 make drai, Of . eops,i'
tuition out Of all the resolutions and
recommendation adopted TO that end
The report Of this committee was sl
most the Constitution 81 II stands, th'
amendments being subsequently, add
cd to H. Local isalousies aud inter
es,s interiered 70 prevent lie earl,
adoption by the States, bu. II hnall
prevailed over all objections, and. n
! oelving the signatures Of the slateI
. Washington Vas elected first Pres
dent Of the United States. The day
, succeeding upon the Rsvolutionsr
war and that preceded the selection
, the great soldier ~ the hn
, Ohiei Magistrate Of the Repablic we'
. hardened with doubts and delays thI
increased and intensified the anxieti,
!. of the men who led the revolution IN
= fought for Independence. Bat gu
= viving these, the Republic also pssss
d safely through the crucial tests Of is2
o 1884, 1870. and the seversr strain
y the civil war from 1880 10 1895. Graf
:. fully and thankfully the people toda
" tho President leading, will oelsbra
IT the launching Of. this OonstItu,io
n which still csmsnts and binds u
ID ata,cs and MAKES them nation fear
70 abroad and resi- ected at home; al
W they will celebrate II amid the seen
" whore liberty vas Graded, q
10 which Witnessed all the snI
ID ties that succeeded upon /
ID separation from Eagland q
all tho formation Of the Republic. I
20 South rs we'll 90 the North will
TO- represented, and the anthem Of q
ar united people will speak their gr'
~ tuds Tor tho wisdom that. guiding
bis Fathers through ell the sore b,seltiI
lat and besiesinss Of prejudice q
zee Jealousy, left us the priceless legacy
lee the Federal Constitution.
tai